United States Council for International Business

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United States Council for International Business (USCIB) is an independent business advocacy group originally founded in 1945 to promote free trade and help represent U.S. business in the, then new, United Nations. One of its primary goals is expanding market access for U.S. products and services abroad. The organization is fervently pro-trade and pro market- liberalization.

1 Membership
2 International Affiliations
3 Functions
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Membership

The USCIB has an active membership roster of over 300 multinational companies, law firms and business associations. The roster is replete with household corporate names including 26 of the 30 Dow Jones Industrial Average members. (The number will go to 27 on February 19, 2008 when Chevron is scheduled to replace Honeywell in the Dow.) Legal and consulting multinationals are also well represented.

[edit] International Affiliations

The USCIB is the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD and the International Organisation of Employers. It functions as the U.S. representative to the ICC’s multifaceted dispute resolution services, including the ICC International Court of Arbitration which is charged with settlement of international business disputes and the legal and procedural aspects of arbitration.

[edit] Functions

The USCIB's three function areas are policy advocacy, dispute resolution and ATA Carnet administration.

The organization promotes business interests both to U.S. policy makers and to international groups like the United Nations. Current, stated policy priorities include advancing sustainable development, expanding international trade and investment, ensuring strong intellectual property rights and supporting information & communication technology (ICT) enabled growth.

Dispute resolution is accomplished through the USCIB's affiliation with the ICC and its dispute resolution service which includes the ICC International Court of Arbitration. The USCIB provides assistance in the nomination of arbitrators, makes referrals to parties seeking attorneys, organizes seminars and corporate roundtables, and answers questions from U.S. businesses regarding the arbitration process and other ICC dispute resolution services.

Since 1968, when U.S. Customs assigned them the task, the USCIB has been handling the administration of international customs documents know as ATA Carnets. In this capacity the organization issues and guarantees Carnets, which allow temporary, duty-free imports overseas for goods generally qualified for use in trade shows or as commercial samples and professional equipment.